The Blue Heron bridge is located on the eastern most section of the continental United States, where the warm water of the Gulf Stream current comes in closer than any other place on the east coast. This current brings in larval animals and juveniles of tropical marine species, depositing them directly under the Blue Heron bridge. These tropical species intermingle with the temperate species normally found in this area, creating one of the most diverse marine habitats anywhere in the United States. Some of the unusual species found at the bridge are seahorses, stargazers, flying gurnards, striated frogfish, searobins, Atlantic longarm (mimic) octopi, and much more.

If you want to help save the Blue Heron bridge from the irreparable damage caused by collectors, please sign our petition, which was created by a local attorney, Pura Vida Divers, and other members of the Palm Beach Diving Association. If you would rather sign the petition in person, it can be found at Pura Vida Divers, Narcosis Dive Charters, Jim Abernethy's Scuba Adventures.

We the undersigned request the enactment of a law, regulation, and/or ordinance prohibiting the taking of any and all types of marine creatures (including but not limited to seahorses, frogfish, batfish, blennies, gobies, damsels, crabs, shrimp, octopus, angelfish, wrasses, jawfish, scorpion fish, rays, butterfly fish, parrot fish, nudibranchs, slugs, and worms), sponges, corals, aquatic plants and grasses from the waters underneath the Blue Heron Bridge, Riviera Beach, Florida, (including the smaller east span) and the surrounding waters (i.e., 300 feet to the north and south of the bridge) by any and all means.

We request this action because this area of water is a very unique and popular scuba diving and snorkeling site that is well known internationally for its diverse concentration of marine creatures; but, the area is being depleted and destroyed by individuals capturing the creatures, sponges, corals, and plants/grasses for sale to others and/or for display in personal aquariums.

The Blue Heron bridge is located on the eastern most section of the continental United States, where the warm water of the Gulf Stream current comes in closer than any other place on the east coast. This current brings in larval animals and juveniles of tropical marine species not found anywhere else on the east coast of the United States, depositing them directly under the Blue Heron bridge. The tropical species intermingle with the temperate species normally found in this area, creating one of the most diverse marine habitats anywhere in the United States.

We the undersigned seek to put an immediate stop to the destruction of this unique marine habitat.

--- Additional Information ---

Lazaro Ruda, a frequent diver of the Blue Heron Bridge, notes that the following animals are regularly found at the bridge:

I posted a comment on the news article, but thought I would post the idea here as well. IS the bridge in Phil Forster Park? If so, the park's website says:

"It is prohibited to solicit or conduct commercial business on or from park property unless previously authorized in writing by the County. Commercial fishermen are permitted to use the park to launch or retrieve their vessels. Businesses such as dive boats, water taxi services, etc. that would result in increased traffic flow in the park are prohibited with the exception of those permitted by contract with the County."

If these collectors are selling the critters to stores in the area, is that not a "commercial business"? Do they have something in writing from the county?

We recently received great news about the Blue Heron bridge. It is now protected, and the taking of any marine animal from the area is illegal!

Douglas Kahle, the attorney and diver originally responsible for the Blue Heron Bridge petition, sent us the following update:

UPDATE: BLUE HERON BRIDGE PETITION

GREAT NEWS!!!!!! The Blue Heron Bridge Petition has been a success. County Commissioner Karen T. Marcus was extremely responsive and apparently sympathetic to the Petition and the cause; she performed magnificently in seeking protection for the marine creatures inhabiting the BHB area. As set forth in the attached letters, Rich Walesky, the Director of Environmental Resources Management, concluded that it is in fact a violation to remove marine creatures from the BHB area. Furthermore, Dennis Eshleman, Director of the CountyParks and Recreation Department, is pursuing a submerged land lease with the state to provide additional protection. Finally, a sign will be placed at the area to inform the public that marine creatures cannot be removed from the area and the Park Rangers will be notified immediately.

Accordingly, if you witness people removing marine creatures from this area, PLEASE CONTACT THE PARK RANGERS; do not waste your time contacting the Riviera Beach Police.

Also, donít hesitate to show your appreciation to Ms. Marcus by dropping her a thank you letter. Again, she did a remarkable job and recently won reelection in a landslide asCountyCommissioner.

Attached is the Petition Letter that was sent on June 9, 2008; Ms. Marcusí letter of August 6, 2008 concluding that removal of the marine creatures is a violation and prohibited; and, Ms. Marcusí letter of August 20, 2008 indicating that a sign will be placed at the BHB area and the Park Rangers will be notified.

If you'd like, you can download the petition letters and responses from Ms. Marcus here: [PDF, 600KB]